LAWYERS, A LADDER AND A DICTIONARY…
What do these have in common? They were all key ingredients in a recent case before the Queensland Supreme Court. Robert thought his estate planning was in place. After all, Robert had: A Will; A Death Benefit Nomination to deal with his Self Managed Super Fund; and...
It’s Time to Review Your Estate Plan
It’s time to get that task of updating your estate plan off your “to do” list! Chances are it’s something you’ve been intending to do but haven’t quite “got around to it”. Your Will and estate plan is something you should regularly review to ensure it is up to date....
BEWARE OF DA 000.10.1 !
Ever heard of DA 000.10.1? Is it the latest COVID19 variant? If you have a Self Managed Super Fund, you might want to read on... DA 000.10.1 is a Public Ruling by the Commissioner of State Revenue. As your level of interest starts plummeting to zero, I’m hoping, if...
THAT’S NOT FAIR
A recent decision in the Maroochydore District Court has prompted me to write again about people challenging Wills. A person can challenge a Will if it doesn’t make “adequate provision” for their “proper maintenance and support”. To challenge, you need to be within a...
WHEREFORE ART THOU?
If you accept the role of executor of an estate, you take on certain legal responsibilities. After the payment of estate debts, the primary obligation of an executor is the transfer of the assets of the deceased to the beneficiaries named in the Will. But what happens...
But Where’s The Will….?
Your Will is confidential. It is entirely a matter for you where it is kept so it is safe and can be located. There is no Government register of Wills made in Queensland. It is not uncommon for a person to pass away and for their original Will to be missing but for a...
“In Love Again? Better see a Lawyer…”
When helping clients prepare Wills, it is common to receive these instructions ‘Everything goes to my spouse and then to the kids equally”. The surviving spouse often ends up with the jointly owned assets and superannuation too. When the surviving spouse passes away,...
Voluntary Assisted Dying – Six Months On…
As of 1 January 2023, an eligible person could choose to end their life under newly introduced Voluntary Assisted Dying (“VAD”) laws in Queensland. A recent Government report revealed, in the first six months of operation of the laws: 591 people (comprising 331 males...
Seller’s Remorse…
The fear of missing out on a deal and concerns about 'timing' the market may result in a Seller rushing to sign a Contract without considering the consequences. The right of a Buyer to change their mind and terminate a Contract under the Cooling Off period, does not...
Co-Ownership Considerations
To battle the rise in cost of living, interest when you separate rates and property prices, we are seeing an increase in parents, siblings and friends pooling their funds together to purchase their dream home. Sounds like a perfect solution on face value. It is...